President Obama talks of loss after children among 27 dead in school shooting in Connecticut

PRESIDENT Barack Obama wiped away tears and struggled to compose himself Friday as he mourned the dead in the Connecticut school shooting, and promised "meaningful"' action to stop gun tragedies.

"The majority of those who died today were children, beautiful little kids between the ages of five and ten years old," Obama said.

"They had their entire lives ahead of them, birthdays, graduations, weddings, kids of their own."

Obama paused for several seconds, and breathed heavily, several times wiping a tear from the corner of his eye, as he gave his first reaction to the killing of at least 27 people, including 18 children, in the White House briefing room.

"Among the fallen, were also teachers, men and women who devoted their lives to helping our children fulfill their dreams," Obama said.

"Our hearts are broken today, for the parents and grandparents, sisters and brothers of these little children and for the families of those who are lost.

"As a country we have been through this too many times," Obama said, mentioning earlier shooting massacres, in Colorado, Oregon and Wisconsin.

US President Barack Obama wipes away a tear as he speaks following the shooting in a Connecticut Elementary School. Picture: AFP

"These neighborhoods are our neighborhoods, these children are our children.

"We are going to have to come together and take meaningful action to prevent more tragedies like this regardless of the politics."

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